Category: Taxes

Comprehensive tax reform is one of the most important components to growing the economy. The tax code is outdated, too long, and harming small businesses and working families. Even though there is universal agreement about passing tax reform, and the president last week said to expect a “phenomenal” tax package to be unveiled in the coming weeks, a provision in the Republicans’ plan, the Border Adjustment Tax (BAT), could throw cold water on the timing of tax reform. Supporters of the BAT claim they need this provision to pay for the tax cut, but the reality is that the BAT will result in a tax increase for consumers and benefit many firms who are already receiving corporate welfare through the Export-Import Bank.

As states look to ways to contain or fix looming budget shortfalls, there are a number of legislatures around the country that are looking to raise taxes in a number of ways that will only harm consumers and taxpayers, while likely falling short on projected revenue leaving the states in a position where taxpayers will continue to be at risk from lawmakers eager to fill the remaining budget gaps. In Indiana, lawmakers are considering a new sales tax bill that is not only unconstitutional, but will discourage entrepreneurs from doing business in the state of Indiana and will likely result in retaliatory measures from tax-heavy states including nearby neighbor Illinois. TPA signed a letter to Indiana lawmakers sent by the R Street Institute opposing the bill, S.B. 545 and TPA will continue to fight against any attempts to increase taxes in the states and at the federal level.

While there is broad consensus on the need to rein in the regulatory reach of the federal government, there is growing disagreement over tax reform.

Since the election of President Donald Trump, the stock market has rallied to historic highs as investors have expressed their bullish confidence that the new Republican governing majority in Washington will usher in policies that create strong and sustained economic growth. This optimism is being fueled by the prospects for sweeping tax and regulatory reform. While there is broad consensus on the need to rein in the regulatory reach of the federal government, there is growing disagreement over tax reform. The stakes of this debate couldn’t be higher for Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and his Republican colleagues in the House of Representatives. It has been more than 30 years since Ronald Reagan last reformed our tax code. In the three decades since, Washington special interests and lobbyists have littered the tax code with complicated deductions and loopholes that reward the biggest corporations at the expense of middle America. The existing tax code picks winners and losers, discourages growth and has punished working families who have seen their wages stagnate over the last decade, fueling the discontent in the electorate that resulted in Donald Trump’s victory.

Summer is here, but before the Administration, members of Congress, and staffers ditch the neckties and head for vacation, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) has assigned Summer Reading. As in previous years, we’ve highlighted some of the best editorials, statements, white papers, and interviews for elected and unelected officials and staff to dwell on as they lounge beach or poolside. These representatives of the American people can rest easy knowing that, unlike the fifth grade, they won’t be tested on these materials promptly upon their return. But, TPA will continue to hold lawmakers and Administration officials accountable in ensuring that taxpayers and consumers are free from government meddling in their lives. » Read More

The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) today published an open letter to congressional Republicans authored by visionary conservative and publishing icon Steve Forbes. The letter, which appeared in today’s edition of The Wall Street Journal, warns Republicans in Congress that their majority could be at stake if they continue to pursue a border adjustment tax to pay for corporate tax reform. Mr. Forbes argues that border adjustment is “a costly new national sales tax on imports, one that will dramatically raise prices of everyday goods and services,” and continues by saying “Congress would be wise to focus their attention on spending cuts.”

This week, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) released a series of issue briefs for the 115th Congress titled Roadmap to Fiscal Sanity. The publication puts forward an aggressive reform agenda for Congress. The publication focuses on 14 different policy areas where reform is needed to help reduce the size of government, cut spending, enact tax reform, and help get the economy back on track. Issues covered in the publication include Defense Spending, Earmarks, Energy, Health Care, Intellectual Property, Mergers, Regulatory Reform, Solar Subsidies, Tax Reform, Telecommunications Policy, Trade Policy, United Nations/World Health Organization and United States Postal Service Reform. TPA President David Williams said of the release, “The newly elected Congress has No More Excuses for not acting on real and meaningful reform when it comes to reducing spending and getting the debt under control. TPA’s Roadmap to Fiscal Sanity provides a path forward.”

This week, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) is beginning a new series of polls (participate here) that we’ll be doing throughout the year. It is important to hear from everyone on the issues that Washington will be tackling in the coming. Topics will range from spending, taxation, regulation, transparency, and any issue that’s important to taxpayers. The first in our series of polls will be focused on how best to grow our economy.

The New Year has begun, and after saying goodbye to 2016, taxpayers are ready to welcome 2017. While many people resolve to shed a few pounds and break some bad habits, this year’s list of resolutions highlights all of the major issues that the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) will focus on throughout the year.

Congress

The resolution for Congress in 2017 is clear: No More Excuses. Washington (including the incoming Trump administration) have no more excuses for not getting things done for taxpayers. On a wide range of issues, including tax reform and regulatory reform, members of the House and Senate can longer make excuses for not doing the necessary work to fix some of the major problems impacting taxpayers. It is time for Congress to get to work. For more on Congress, click here.

Below is testimony from Carl Szabo, Senior Policy Counsel with NetChoice, stating opposition to the Tennessee Department of Revenue Proposed Regulation 1320-05-01-.63; 1320-05-01-.129 – Creating a New Tax Rule. The testimony was given on December 14, 2016 and it can also be found online here.

We ask you to reject the Department of Revenue’s Regulation 1320-05-01-.63; 1320-05-01-.129 (“Rule”) as it creates costs, burdens, and new taxes on Tennessee citizens. This Rule’s problems began with its introduction and will continue through the expected legal battles. And if the Rule were to survive constitutional challenges, it would impose new burdens on your businesses and citizens.

The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) is closing out 2016 with a message for Congress and the incoming Trump administration: No More Excuses!

Over the past several years, Congress has dropped the ball in coming together on solutions to very real and solvable problems that are impacting taxpayers and businesses. Now, with the likely prospect of a Congress and White House that are seemingly aligned on some of the major issues facing the country, there is no reason that many of those problems can’t be solved over the course of 2017. Hence, no more excuses.

Today is Cyber Monday, the first Monday after Thanksgiving. People are encouraged to purchase holiday gifts online with retailers offering internet-only deals. The first Cyber Monday was in 2005 and recorded $389 million in sales while last year's total eclipsed $2.2 billion. This year, analysts expect $3.36 billion in sales. Cyber Monday is also a good time to remind Congress about the dangers of passing the Marketplace Fairness Act, aka an online sales tax. The following op-ed by Steve DelBianco of NetChoice (originally posted on November 16, 2016 in Morning Consult) is a good reminder why MFA should not be passed in a lame duck session of Congress or ever.

Calling all media with an interest in healthcare policy, international relations and government accountability: The taxpayer-funded World Health Organization is holding a meeting in New Delhi next week that could have significant public policy ramifications. But you're not invited. Neither are members of the public who foot the bill for WHO's activities and other critical stakeholders who provide critical insight into pressing questions on the intersection of healthcare and law enforcement. So, what gives? Why such secrecy?

Among the many bad measures on Colorado’s November ballot is Amendment 72, which would triple Colorado’s tobacco tax, with the goal of raising over $300 million in annual revenue, create new government programs, and expand existing ones. Amendment 72 would lock that new revenue and spending in to the state constitution, outside the oversight of the General Assembly, and outside the revenue limits in the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR). But, a look at similar initiatives from states around the country shows that these types of tax increases amount to little more than Fools’ Gold in generating revenue. If the amendment passes, it will not only raise tobacco taxes, it will also give state agencies a blank check to spend the money wherever they want because there are no specific areas designated for the spending. That lack of clarity should raise an alarm for any voter who cares about fiscally responsible government.

Halloween is just around the corner! Families across America will soon be ready to celebrate with candy, costumes, and fun! The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) is preparing for the “scary season” in a much different way by watching what government has done to spook taxpayers this past year. You guessed it, it’s time for TPA’s annual Taxpayer Tricks and Treats! This year, there’s no shortage for taxpayers to be terrified by with wasteful spending, missed opportunities, and the frightening prospect of lawmakers returning for some last minute scares! Not to worry, there were some treats. They weren’t easy to find, but we found some. And, we wrapped up the list with items that were tricks and treats. ENJOY!!

Anthony McAuliffe is an associate with the Property Rights Alliance and Americans for Tax Reform. This piece originally appeared here on the ATR website.

The UN’s World Health Organization (WHO) released a report recommending that all countries levy a steep excise tax on soft drinks of at least 20 percent. The proposal represents a dangerous new precedent whereby international organizations will encroach on national sovereignty by telling nations how to tax their own citizens. The recommendations further represent a restriction of choice on global citizens, as well as an ineffective way to combat the global issue of obesity.

Halloween is almost here! Families across America will soon be ready to celebrate with candy, costumes, and fun! The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) is preparing for the “scary season” in a much different way by watching what government has done to spook taxpayers this past year. You guessed it, it’s time for TPA’s annual Taxpayer Tricks and Treats! This year, there’s no shortage for taxpayers to be terrified by with wasteful spending, missed opportunities, and the frightening prospect of lawmakers returning for some last minute scares! Not to worry, there were some treats. They weren’t easy to find, but we found some. And, we wrapped up the list with items that were tricks and treats. ENJOY!!

This article originally appeared in Inside Sources on October 19, 2016

Thirty years is a long time, especially considering how much can happen in that time span. For example, the phrase “iPhone” was just poor grammar and “tweeting” was exclusively for birds. Yet, with all the changes and advancements in the world and in the United States, taxpayers are saddled with a tax code that hasn’t been overhauled since 1986. Comprehensive tax reform and bipartisanship is possible. On October 22, 1986, Congress and the White House came together in a rare display of bicameral, bipartisan cooperation to pass comprehensive tax reform. Republican President Ronald Reagan worked with a split Congress (Republican Senate and Democrat House) to accomplish the largest overhaul of the tax code in the United States. The anniversary of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 provides a perfect opportunity to make the case once again for a major overhaul of our tax system.

In just a few days, it will be the 30th anniversary for the last time comprehensive tax reform was passed. The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) has used this week to highlight individual and corporate tax reform (click here and here), and new Treasury regulations and the Death Tax (click here). Today, TPA presents a look back at two videos focused on tax reform with the 2016 Tax Day "Man on the Street" video and the Hill Briefing on Tax Reform from July.

This week, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) is focusing on the 30th Anniversary of the last time comprehensive tax reform was passed. We started the series with a look at tax reform for individuals (click here). With a corporate tax rate exceeding 39 percent (the highest in the developed world), reforming the corporate tax code is essential to strengthening the economy and keeping businesses from leaving the United States. The high corporate tax rate is having a devastating effect on the ability of the United States to compete in a rapidly changing global economy. At nearly 40 percent, the corporate tax rate has been the highest in the developed world since April of 2012. The worldwide average is just below 23 percent. So, not only does the U.S. hold the dubious distinction of having the highest corporate tax rate, that current rate is well above the global average making it more difficult to compete with other nations.

Saturday October 22nd marks three decades since the last time comprehensive tax reform was passed. Throughout the week, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) will be using the anniversary to remind lawmakers on Capitol Hill, as well as the Presidential candidates, that tax reform is important and long overdue. Any serious talk about tax reform has to start with individual tax reform. The complexity of the tax code is a major issue for individuals as the tax code has increased from 409,000 words in 1955, to 2.4 million words today. The increasing complexity costs taxpayers billions of dollars and hours each year as compliance takes up time and money. A recent analysis from the National Taxpayers Union found that the time spent on 1040 form individual filings amounted to nearly 2 billion hours, totaling $64.6 billion in lost productivity.